Barbara Nalbone didn't rush into her decision to move to The Terraces at Bonita Springs. In fact, she spent nearly five years researching retirement communities before making the move.

Now, two years later, she says the decision brought her not only peace of mind, but a much easier lifestyle in her beautiful one-bedroom residence.

“I had never heard of continuous care retirement communities. It sounded amazing but I wasn’t sure financially if I qualified," she said. "Choosing this floor plan made it worth it."

The Hacienda Floor Plan “Just Works”

Today, Barbara lives comfortably in a one-bedroom apartment called the Hacienda floor plan that compliments her active lifestyle. The open-concept layout includes a spacious bedroom with a full bath, a dining and living area connected to the kitchen, plus a den and half bath that gives her extra flexibility when guests visit.

Barbara said, “You could do a pullout sofa if you have company so it gives you a little extra room without overwhelming you. It just works for me.”

“It also has a nice balcony, I enjoy spending time out there,” she added.

She also appreciates having access to additional on-site storage, making it easy to keep seasonal items and other belongings nearby.

Everything Under One Roof

Living at The Terraces is about much more than floor plans and convenience. It’s about the reassurance that comes from planning ahead.

“The fact that it’s all under one roof, is your number one selling feature,” she said. “Nobody has to get in a car to drive to the restaurant for dinner, or go in a golf cart, or see if your neighbor can take you or whatever.”

“As you get older, you notice you’re not as fast, can't bend down as well, and you start to think ahead like, wait a minute, what am I going to do if…”

And two years after moving in, and a medical emergency, she truly believes more people should start planning sooner rather than later.

“Better to be two years early than a day late," she said. "Plus, you can reap the benefits of the wellness programs and health services. It’s really almost like a second insurance-type policy."

For Barbara, the realization came after changes in her own neighborhood and a frightening fall at home.

“I really loved my house, but as the market started to go crazy, everybody was moving,” she said. “Suddenly I'm there in the summer on my perfect street, and there's less than 50% of the people there. And I did trip and fall, and I wondered, how long am I going to be here on the ground before somebody comes and gets me?”

"That's when I started to consider the whole concept of continuing care, and if you don't have family nearby, it's even more important," Barbara said.

A Lifestyle That Makes Life Easier

After moving in, she was surprised by how quickly life became easier. Everything she needs is just steps outside her door. Barbara said she has cooked only three times since moving in.

“You get spoiled because it’s easier to walk downstairs and pick from the menu and chat with everyone,” she laughed. “If I don’t want to leave my apartment, I could order and have someone bring it up for a small fee. I only use my microwave. My oven is now a storage for snacks.”

Financial Peace of Mind

Before moving in, Barbara first reached out to her trusted financial advisor. When she compared the true cost of homeownership — maintenance, utilities, food, insurance, repairs, and future healthcare expenses — the numbers became surprisingly comparable.

“When you sit down and say, this is how much I’m spending in my house or whatever your situation might be, and you compare it to this, it was not that much different,” Barbara said. “And it is so much easier. Practically everything is done for you here.”

One of the biggest financial advantages of the Type A life care contract is prearranging future health expenses. Residents pay a one-time entrance fee then a predictable monthly fee that does not increase if more support like assisted living is ever needed.

“People really do need to look at all their finances before they come, because assisted living is so expensive,” she said. “If you get to that stage and you’re not here, you’re going to pay the market rate. Here, you’re going to have some savings.”